Unlocking the World: The Power of Citizenship by Descent and Ancestral Passports
Mar 26, 2024
Zee Michaelson & Jay Lawrence
Imagine discovering a hidden door in your family tree that leads to a world of international adventure and new beginnings—that's the magic of citizenship by descent. In our latest episode, we unravel how over 50 countries are welcoming individuals with open arms to claim their ancestral rights to a passport, and why this quest for dual citizenship is more than just a genealogical journey—it's a ticket to global mobility and a life of possibilities. As we examine the intricate maze of paperwork and the virtue of patience, you'll hear about four nations where the path to your second passport might be smoother than you think. And if you've ever fantasized about the charm of owning an Irish pub or the freedom of visa-free travel, this conversation might just be the push you need to start digging through your family's past.
Then, as we leave no stone unturned, we share personal stories and legendary tales, including that of St. Patrick and his snake-banishing ways. You'll be regaled with the practicalities and privileges of obtaining powerful travel documents like a New Zealand passport, and how they can redefine your position on the global stage. Join me, C. Michelson, as I encourage you to aim high with your travel aspirations, and remind you that sometimes, reaching for the stars can get you at least to the moon. So, share your own travel dreams with us, and let's explore together how the legacy of your ancestors can unlock doors to the world.
Imagine discovering a hidden door in your family tree that leads to a world of international adventure and new beginnings—that's the magic of citizenship by descent. In our latest episode, we unravel how over 50 countries are welcoming individuals with open arms to claim their ancestral rights to a passport, and why this quest for dual citizenship is more than just a genealogical journey—it's a ticket to global mobility and a life of possibilities. As we examine the intricate maze of paperwork and the virtue of patience, you'll hear about four nations where the path to your second passport might be smoother than you think. And if you've ever fantasized about the charm of owning an Irish pub or the freedom of visa-free travel, this conversation might just be the push you need to start digging through your family's past.
Then, as we leave no stone unturned, we share personal stories and legendary tales, including that of St. Patrick and his snake-banishing ways. You'll be regaled with the practicalities and privileges of obtaining powerful travel documents like a New Zealand passport, and how they can redefine your position on the global stage. Join me, C. Michelson, as I encourage you to aim high with your travel aspirations, and remind you that sometimes, reaching for the stars can get you at least to the moon. So, share your own travel dreams with us, and let's explore together how the legacy of your ancestors can unlock doors to the world.
Speaker 1:
Welcome to the Zee Michelson Travel Podcast. This podcast is devoted to the travel industry. Zee says let your imagination run wild and start dreaming about where you want to go. And dream big, reach for the stars, and if you only get to the moon, at least you enjoyed the trip. Your guide to travel is Zee Michelson, a travel advisor, and sitting at the controls is J Lawrence, your concierge of podcast travel. Now here's Zee.
And the podcast of concierge travel is right here with you, dear.
Speaker 2:
Thank you, jay. Thank you, jay, and you know that we're brought to you by Colage Travel.
Speaker 3:
Media Network. Oh yes, we forgot to mention that, didn't we? Well, the other day?
Speaker 2:
Yeah, I know we did, but that's okay.
Speaker 3:
Okay.
Speaker 2:
They know we love them and we and they love us, Right, right. But today we're going to have a really good topic of conversation.
Speaker 3:
Yes, passports, I love that password.
Speaker 2:
You know, Jay, I am always saying get your passports.
Speaker 3:
Get your pass.
Speaker 2:
People have to get over it.
Speaker 3:
Yeah.
Speaker 2:
You know, just get your passport, but I'm not going to be talking about the regular passports today. Oh really, Nope. Today's something a little bit more interesting.
Speaker 3:
Why is?
Speaker 2:
that there are four countries where your heritage can get you a passport. Oh, really, like dual citizenship type of thing, oh wow.
Speaker 3:
Well, I know someone that could be a dual citizen and refuses to be a dual citizen.
Speaker 2:
I think I know who you're talking about yes. But you know we'll talk about that, so let's get into it. Okay, let's get into it. So did you know that there are more than 50 countries around the world that currently offer citizenship by descent?
Speaker 3:
No.
Speaker 2:
Yeah, 50 countries around the world.
Speaker 3:
Now why would they want to do that?
Speaker 2:
Well, there's a couple of different reasons. Okay, you know, but a lot of people, they're tracking their heritage and all of that. But this gives those who qualify through the right to live and work in another country. Wow, so you know, could you imagine if you wanted to work in another country and you have to go through all of that? And there's a lot of expat stuff going on too, because there's a lot of people thinking about retiring and becoming an expat, as they call it, expatriates. This may give you some insight on how this works, okay, okay, did you know that roughly 9 million Americans currently live abroad? No, yeah, and that number is increasing.
Speaker 3:
Yes, I know one that probably wants to do that.
Speaker 2:
Yes, there are people out there that really really are looking into it.
Speaker 3:
Yeah.
Speaker 2:
And there are a lot of people that want to work and live abroad just to see what it's like, and you know that's not a bad thing.
Speaker 3:
you know to find out how the other side lives. One friend. This is a while back, but someone went and wanted to work like in France, right, and went over there and just got a job, right, and they didn't make any money at all. But if you're sent with a company, that's a different story, that's a different story.
Speaker 2:
That's a different way to go Right, because they can actually help you get in and do that Right. But there are other ways of doing it, yeah, okay. So you might be asking what is the process?
Speaker 3:
I was going to ask what is the process?
Speaker 2:
Well, it's not as easy as you may think.
Speaker 3:
Why are we talking if it's not easy? For me, it's going to be easy.
Speaker 2:
Well, so you think you need a lot of paper just to get your regular passport.
Speaker 3:
Yeah.
Speaker 2:
Well, there's more documentation that you need with this, because you'll have to include birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, all to prove your lineage, you know. And of course, now comes the processing fees.
Speaker 3:
Well, yeah, but now wait a minute. If I had to provide my death certificate, what good is it?
Speaker 2:
It's not your death certificate. It's like you know that your great grandmother was living in, say, germany and she's passed on, so you would have to prove that yes, she was, you know, and you're a descendant of hers.
Speaker 3:
This death certificate thing is kind of funny, so I had a little joke going, but I'm not sure it would be appropriate.
Speaker 2:
So we'll go on to, we'll just keep going, we'll pass by that. Yeah, bump, bump.
Speaker 3:
But how much would this passport thing cost? It ranges.
Speaker 2:
It ranges. So you say you have the patience and you can pay and you can wait. Okay, but now are you?
Speaker 3:
eligible. Ah, but you say there's 50 companies of countries that will do this.
Speaker 2:
There's 50 countries around the world that currently offer citizenship by descent. Oh okay, by descent.
Speaker 3:
Uh-huh.
Speaker 2:
Okay, so tracking down your family roots is part of this.
Speaker 3:
Oh yeah.
Speaker 2:
That's biggie. That's a biggie. Blood only does not get you the right to get this dual citizenship. So it's not only blood.
Speaker 3:
So I can't just do the blood tests and that's it.
Speaker 2:
No, some countries have stricter rules. Brazil, france and Mexico require that one of the applicants parents be a citizen at the time of the applicant's birth. So, in other words, your grandmother came from Mexico.
Speaker 3:
Okay.
Speaker 2:
And when you were born, she was a citizen of Mexico.
Speaker 3:
Okay.
Speaker 2:
Yeah, but if she moved to the United States and became a citizen here and then you were born, oh, that throws you into another category. Other countries, like Italy are more lenient and of course each country has different procedures and processes.
Speaker 3:
Now, before I get into, those you say you got to have patience.
Speaker 2:
Got to have patience. Okay, so now, before I get into those four countries that offer more straightforward paths, how about a travel tip? Oh, travel tip time. Is that it Travel tip time? Ah, travel, travel, travel. I do recommend getting travel insurance.
Speaker 3:
Passports and travel insurance go together.
Speaker 2:
They really do. This is very important. You just paid $10,000 for that once in a lifetime trip and, whoops, you slip and break your ankle the day before you leave. Oh yeah, now what?
Speaker 3:
Oh, is that good, before you leave too.
Speaker 2:
Yeah, because you'll have to cancel or move. Oh, yeah, yeah. So most trips do not reimburse a few days before leaving no, yeah. Also, if you're overseas and you get sick and you need medical help or fall and need medical attention, this can be very, very pricey when overseas.
Speaker 3:
Yeah, now probably you'll end up having to pay this right. Yes, up front or have some cash.
Speaker 2:
Just like years ago, the insurance we had years and years ago you paid the doctor and then you got reimbursed by the insurance company, then you submit it to this insurance company here. But can you imagine if you have a $20,000 bill overseas and now you're out $20,000 because you don't have any insurance
Speaker 3:
to reimburse you.
Speaker 2:
And you have to have that. You're going to take care of the bill. The bill goes that once in a lifetime dream trip is turning now into a nightmare because you don't have insurance. There are many different types of travel insurance out there on the market. We, as travel advisors, are not insurance agents, but we will always touch base with the insurance companies to see which ones are the best for you.
Speaker 3:
Okay, so you can help us get that right.
Speaker 2:
We can say, okay, we have several different types of insurance. Here's the game plan. Pick which one you want, and they can recommend insurance carriers to choose from. I choose a couple of different ones based on where they're going. So that's another thing.
Speaker 3:
Oh, so that's another thing. It's, isn't there, didn't I hear the fact that you could buy one policy for the year you?
Speaker 2:
can. If you travel quite frequently, you can buy an annual insurance package that will work wherever you go in the United States.
Speaker 3:
And I've heard isn't that, basically, if you get it once, it almost covers I mean once will cover the whole year, where, wherever you go? Yeah, instead of paying at one, say, it's $200 for one trip.
Speaker 2:
Right. Usually it runs between $200 and $400 per person.
Speaker 3:
Per person for one trip For one trip. Now I don't have the price points for a whole annual, but the annual that I've heard is covered in two trips or three trips, you're like.
Speaker 2:
Right, you've made your. You've made your money and I don't recommend doing that if you only go on one trip a year.
Speaker 3:
Right, it's like going to Disney World, right, with an annual pass, with an annual pass exactly, but I do recommend getting travel insurance.
Speaker 2:
There are many travel companies out there that have great insurance. We're not insurance brokers, but we can talk to them and then they will supply you with the information. Okay, now let's get back to those four countries.
Speaker 3:
Four countries where I can get it, four countries that are a little bit more straightforward.
Speaker 2:
Okay, they're straightforward. Okay, first up, I'm going to do Italy, all right. Okay, this is one of the most lean in countries when it comes to getting a passport. Through your heritage, 18 million people in the United States identify as Italian Americans. Wow, 18 million people. Eligible applicants must have an Italian ancestor, but it doesn't have to be a parent or even a grandparent.
Speaker 1:
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2:
Italy allows applicants to claim citizenship as long as they have a great great grandparent who was an Italian citizen.
Speaker 1:
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2:
However, they will have to prove the relationship through the generations. So back we go again to the birth certificate, the death certificate, the marriage certificates and so on.
Speaker 3:
Yeah.
Speaker 2:
If you want to fast track to this, living in Italy for a few months while you do this and apply may help, all right, so they kind of want to keep you there, so they want you in.
Speaker 3:
So they want you in. Do you have? Would you like to have? I want to call it bed and breakfast or something.
Speaker 2:
Over in Italy. Yeah, yeah, that would kind of be nice.
Speaker 3:
Can you book those kind of trips?
Speaker 2:
I can, but I don't usually.
Speaker 3:
Okay, yeah.
Speaker 2:
Next up is Spain. Mm-hmm, mm-hmm. Now Spain and Italy are kind of side by side over there. Spain just passed legislation that lets you apply for citizenship by dissent up to three generations. You can even apply if you were adopted by a Spanish citizen before your 18th birthday. So if you were adopted, you can apply, and I'm beginning to see a pattern here. You need the birth certificate, the death certificate, the marriage certificate, and this can take up to two to three years.
Speaker 3:
Now, why do I?
Speaker 2:
So that's where the patience come in Now.
Speaker 3:
is this, when we're talking about this, are we talking about for dual citizenship? Is that what this is giving us?
Speaker 2:
Yeah, you don't get rid of your United States citizenship Okay. But this will allow you to do things like once you get the citizenship to these countries, you'll be able to work in the country.
Speaker 1:
Yeah.
Speaker 2:
Legally. You know, these are some of the things that you would be able to legally do.
Speaker 1:
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2:
And a lot of people do it, you know, because they are going to work overseas or they've always wanted to live in Germany, or whatever. So now, before I get into the last two, yeah, One of which is near and dear to me how about a trivia question? Ah, according to legend, what did St Patrick drive out of Ireland? Are you thinking St Patrick went over to Ireland and drove something out? What did he drive out? Snakes. Yes, very good, did I?
Speaker 3:
get it right.
Speaker 2:
Yes, st Patrick drove the snakes out of Ireland. If you go to Ireland, there are no snakes, believe it or not, there's no snakes in Ireland. Wow, yeah, so they say that he drove the snakes out of Ireland, but I think this was not really what happened. I think he was just getting rid of evil people when he went over there yeah.
Speaker 1:
So I think they referred to him as snakes that he drove out.
Speaker 2:
But yeah, St Patrick drove the snakes out of Ireland.
Speaker 3:
Wow, I didn't realize I could be correct.
Speaker 2:
Yeah, you got it.
Speaker 3:
I was thinking of rats, but that probably is not true.
Speaker 2:
No, that's the pipe-piper.
Speaker 3:
Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2:
Wrong person, wrong person, yeah. So, so, getting back to it, we have two more left.
Speaker 3:
Can you? Is Ireland one of those countries?
Speaker 2:
Yep, let's talk Ireland and your passport.
Speaker 3:
Okay.
Speaker 2:
Now I have heard this time and time again that I can apply myself and get my passport from Ireland, the Hyberians. I was told this years and years and years and years ago when I was younger, when Americans were being targeted while traveling, because it was true that when Americans traveled overseas a lot of people wanted to kill them, so a lot of people were trying to get these types of passports. So when the people that would come on the planes and Shanghai, the planes you know, remember those days, remember those days.
Speaker 2:
They would immediately ask for the people's passports and if you were American, they would kill you. Oh wow, so you know. So these things happened years and years and years ago, but what I like is the fact that I would be able to do this. So now my father told me this years ago because my father lived in Ireland for many years and my grandparents were both born and raised in Ireland, so you shouldn't have a problem. I'm right in, I fit right into the category. So here's what happens. Okay, so I've never went for the, the hiberian passport. I was American and I got an American passport.
Speaker 2:
Yes that's what I felt. If I was gonna, if I was gonna die, I was gonna die as an American, stubborn as I am. If you're looking to become an expat now, this may be a way to achieve this. So if you have a heritage, an Irish heritage, like a parent or a grandparent, and they were citizens of this country At the time of your birth, you're automatically eligible for Irish citizenship, automatically, automatically, automatically. To claim that citizenship for your parent or grandparent, you must first register your birth of foreign birth register. After you register, you can complete the application and apply, and then again you need all the proper paperwork.
Speaker 2:
If everything is approved, you should see your passport in about 30 months. So you know I, you know I was laughing one time with my sister a few years ago. We said how about we open up a? You know there was a pub for sale over in Ireland and you know both of us have that and her husband is also. Could also apply under this. I said we can all move to Ireland, we have a little pub and we were chuckling about it. But you know, you never know.
Speaker 3:
Boy, you've got my head spinning.
Speaker 2:
You want a little pub. Wouldn't that be cool having a pub? Yeah, come on in and have a pint. Pint on the on us, yeah, so that would be fun. And I did see a few pubs that were for sale over in Ireland.
Speaker 3:
Wow, they can see us American suckers coming.
Speaker 2:
All right, oh, the Americans are gonna try to do an Irish pub, yeah, but yeah, so you can do it. And that's Ireland. Now this one surprised me.
Speaker 3:
Hmm, new, zealand, new Zealand, it's so hard to get into New Zealand, isn't it?
Speaker 2:
The country is absolutely breathtaking. Yeah, it's gorgeous. Didn't they film Lord of the Rings down there? Yeah, because it's actually that type of atmosphere and it might be a nice place to retire to, do you think?
Speaker 3:
you're looking at me. What are you looking at me for? I'm looking at you, yeah.
Speaker 2:
If you want to become a citizen, the quickest way to you have apparently already a citizenship fill out an application, show the proper papers, pay all the fees and, if all is correct, in about two months. This is the quickie one.
Speaker 3:
You get a passport. You get a passport.
Speaker 2:
Uh, you'll have the right to live and work in New Zealand, but you will have one of the most powerful passports around, allowing for visa free. Uh or on arrival of access to 189 countries.
Speaker 3:
Wow, now wait a minute. This pass you have to have a visa to get into.
Speaker 2:
uh uh a lot of different countries New Zealand right now correct. Well, you know Australia, you definitely need a visa, Okay, so okay.
Speaker 3:
So if I get this passport, that's not giving me dual citizenship, is it?
Speaker 2:
No, it's just giving you a passport Giving you the right to work and play in that country. All right, right. And it's also a very powerful passport, because passports are ranked. Yeah, okay, and it's ranked fifth in all the passports in the world. Uh, the United States ranked sixth. Hmm, so we're underneath New Zealand.
Speaker 3:
Okay, so. So how do I get this paperwork for the New Zealand?
Speaker 2:
You have to apply to New Zealand.
Speaker 3:
You know the citizen you know where do you have the go online? I don't have it. Do you have it in front of me?
Speaker 2:
I don't have it in front of me. Oh, okay, so did you know? The ranking of passports is bid eye opening.
Speaker 3:
Well, yes.
Speaker 2:
Yeah, and I was surprised to see it um with when I was looking at it and I went oh my gosh, you know France, germany, italy, japan, singapore and Spain, ranking number one with access to 194 countries. Wow, the United States isn't in there.
Speaker 3:
No, you notice, I said that yeah.
Speaker 2:
Where's the United States? What's going on with that?
Speaker 3:
Yeah.
Speaker 2:
So I mean, I found that very interesting. I knew that they were ranked, but I thought the United States would be up higher than that.
Speaker 3:
Right, but you know again, this is the passport only gives you, but it gives you the right to go into the country.
Speaker 2:
Right and if, if it's this in particular passport, you don't need a visa.
Speaker 3:
Yeah.
Speaker 2:
But I don't know how that law is going to change coming up next year because, um, we talked about this on another one of my shows about visas that are going to be required now. Oh, that's what I was thinking it was supposed to be required this year, but they put it on hold until next year.
Speaker 3:
Well, but if you got the passport, but still we have passports with we might got, we might still need to have visa to get into certain countries because of the new visa rules that are coming our way, and that's just because of the state of the world right now. Yeah.
Speaker 2:
So we'll see how that plays out and as I get more information on the new updates, I will let everybody know. So there you have it Passports get your own passport. Right now I have so many people that are saying can I get on a ship if I'm not getting off and it's coming from the United States and it's going back to the United States? It's like, just get your passport.
Speaker 3:
Yeah, because when you come back in, even at the port, there's immigration officials looking at you right Saying did you?
Speaker 2:
did you get off ship? Yes, and even if you get off the ship, Sometimes you can't get back on.
Speaker 3:
Well, I'm looking at when I got off the ship in the United States and the great thing was they had. What is it when they?
Speaker 2:
Feel out, fill it out J. No Image recognition the image recognition right, yeah, so.
Speaker 3:
I didn't even have to show my passport, they just took my picture.
Speaker 2:
They did say take off your glasses right you have, you can't wear your glasses if, even if you wear glasses 24-7, you cannot have glasses on. You cannot have a hat on right. Those are some of the things that they don't want when you're doing it, but now, with all of these apps, like when we were on our ship not too long ago, they had the face recognition face right.
Speaker 3:
That's what I was trying to think of, but they also had a copy of our passport.
Speaker 2:
Right, it kind of went hand in hand.
Speaker 3:
So when you get off, you don't have to show your passport, right, they've got it right there, right there in this system. Yeah there you have it, just get your dang pass and they didn't realize that I was taking $250,000 worth of merchandise off the ship at that time.
Speaker 2:
I'll take this blanket, I'll take this bed. I can imagine that right but it's not that hard to get.
Speaker 3:
That was a joke.
Speaker 2:
Yes, I couldn't even imagine you coming off a ship like a turtle. That would look silly. Well, there is so much traveling to do in so little time to do it, so tune in every week for more travel info and insights and just plain fun. Please follow me and like me on Facebook. I would love that. Do you have a favorite location or an interesting travel tip? You can let me know. You know, just send me an email z michelson at gmailcom, and of course, z is spelled z ee, and I'm very excited to let everybody know my podcast can be heard on all your favorite podcast players. You can give me a review and I'd love to hear what you have to say. So thanks for listening today.
Speaker 2:
Traveling truly opens up the world to you. You learn all about the different cultures and lifestyles and, of course, the fabulous food that we eat in each country. Then you realize we really, truly are the same. So dream, dream big, reach for those stars, and if you only get to the moon, at least you made the trip. If you're looking for some more great places to travel to, feel free to visit my website. It is free, there's no charge to look. My website is the michelson travel comm. Z again. Z ee. This is see michelson making your travel dreams come true.